the memorabilia(纪念品)-第44节
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accomplish many of our needs？＇7＇
＇7＇ e。g。 for temple orientation see Dr。 Penrose quoted by Norman
Lockyer； 〃Nature；〃 August 31。 1893。
It is so （he answered）。
Soc。 And let us not forget that the moon herself not only makes clear
to us the quarters of the night； but of the month also？
Certainly （he answered）。
Soc。 And what of this： that whereas we need nutriment； this too the
heavenly powers yield us？ Out of earth's bosom they cause good to spring
up＇8＇ for our benefit； and for our benefit provide appropriate seasons to
furnish us in turn not only with the many and diverse objects of need； but
with the sources also of our joy and gladness？＇9＇
＇8＇ Cf。 Plat。 〃Laws；〃 747 D。
＇9＇ Or； 〃pleasure。〃
Yes （he answered earerly）； these things bear token truly to a love for
man。＇10＇
＇10＇ Cf。 Plat。 〃Laws；〃 713 D； 〃Symp。〃 189 D。 〃These things are signs
of a beneficient regard for man。〃
Soc。 Well； and what of another priceless gift； that of water； which
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conspires with earth and the seasons to give both birth and increase to all
things useful to us； nay； which helps to nurture our very selves； and
commingling with all that feeds us； renders it more digestible； more
wholesome； and more pleasant to the taste； and mark you in proportion to
the abundance of our need the superabundance of its supply。 What say you
concerning such a boon？
Euth。 In this again I see a sign of providential care。
Soc。 And then the fact that the same heavenly power has provided us
with fire＇11＇our assistant against cold； our auxiliary in darkness； our
fellow…workman in every art and every instrument which for the sake of
its utility mortal man may invent or furnish himself withal。 What of this；
since； to put it compendiously； there is nothing serviceable to the life of
man worth speaking of but owes its fabrication to fire？＇12＇
＇11＇ Lit。 〃and then the fact that they made provision for us of even
fire〃； the credit of this boon； according to Hesiod； being due to
Prometheus。
＇12＇ Or； 〃no life…aiding appliance worthy of the name。〃
Euth。 Yes； a transcendent instance of benevolent design。＇13＇
＇13＇ Or； 〃Yes； that may be called an extreme instance of the divine
'philanthropy。'〃 Cf。 Cic。 〃de N。 D。〃 ii。 62。
Soc。 Again； consider the motions of the Sun；＇14＇ how when he has
turned him about in winter＇15＇ he again draws nigh to us； ripening some
fruits； and causing others whose time is past to dry up； how when he has
fulfilled his work he comes no closer； but turns away as if in fear to scorch
us to our hurt unduly； and again； when he has reached a point where if he
should prolong his reatreat we should plainly be frozen to death with cold；
note how he turns him about and resumes his approach； traversing that
region of the heavens where he may shed his genial influence best upon
us。
＇14＇ A single MS。 inserts a passage ｛to de kai era 。 。 。
'Anekphraston｝。
＇15＇ i。e。 as we say； 〃after the winter solstice。〃
Yes； upon my word （he answered）； these occurrences bear the impress
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of being so ordered for the sake of man。
Soc。 And then； again； it being manifest that we could not endure either
scorching heat or freezing cold if they came suddenly upon us； note how
gradually the sun approaches； and how gradually recedes； so that we fail to
notice how we come at last to either extreme。＇16＇
＇16＇ Or； 〃note the gradual approach and gradual recession of the sun…
god； so gradual that we reach either extreme in a manner
imperceptibly； and before we are aware of its severity。〃
For my part （he replied）； the question forces itself upon my mind；
whether the gods have any other occupation save only to minister to man；
and I am only hindered from saying so； because the rest of animals would
seem to share these benefits along with man。
Soc。 Why； to be sure； and is it not plain that these animals themselves
are born and bred for the sake of man？ At any rate； no living creature save
man derives so many of his enjoyments from sheep and goats； horses and
cattle and asses； and other animals。 He is more dependent； I should
suppose； on these than even on plants and vegetables。 At any rate； equally
with these latter they serve him as means of subsistence or articles of
commerce； indeed； a large portion of the human family do not use the
products of the soil as food at all； but live on the milk and cheese and flesh
of their flocks and herds； whilst all men everywhere tame and domesticate
the more useful kinds of animals； and turn them to account as fellow…
workers in war and for other purposes。
Yes； I cannot but agree with what you say （he answered）； when I see
that animals so much stronger than man become so subservient to his hand
that he can use them as he lists。
Soc。 And as we reflect on the infinite beauty and utility and the variety
of nature； what are we to say of the fact that man has been endowed with
sensibilities which correspond with this diversity； whereby we take our fill
of every blessing；＇17＇ or； again； this implanted faculty of reasoning； which
enables us to draw inferences concerning the things which we perceive；
and by aid of memory to understand how each set of things may be turned
to our good； and to devise countless contrivances with a view to enjoying
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the good and repelling the evil； or lastly； when we consider the faculty
bestowed upon us of interpretative speech； by which we are enabled to
instruct one another； and to participate in all the blessings fore…named： to
form societies； to establish laws； and to enter upon a civilised
existence＇18＇what are we to think？
＇17＇ Or； 〃Again； when we consider how many beautiful objects there
are serviceable to man； and yet how unlike they are to one another；
the fact that man has been endowed with senses adapted to each
class of things； and so has access to a world of happiness。〃
＇18＇ Cf。 Aristot。 〃Pol。〃 III。 ix。 5。
Euth。 Yes； Socrates； decidely it would appear that the gods do manifest
a great regard； nay； a tender care； towards mankind。
Soc。 Well； and what do you make of the fact that where we are
powerless to take advantageous forethought for our future； at this stage
they themselves lend us their co…operation； imparting to the inquirer
through divination knowledge of events about to happen； and instructing
him by what means they may best be turned to good account？
Euth。 Ay； and you； Socrates； they would seem to treat in a more
friendly manner still than the rest of men； if； without waiting even to be
inquired of by you； they show you by signs beforehand what you must；
and what you must not do。＇19＇
＇19＇ See above； I。 iv。 14； for a parallel to the train of thought on
the part of Aristodemus 〃the little；〃 and of Euthydemus； and for
Socrates' ｛daimonion｝； see above； Grote； 〃Plato；〃 i。 400。
Soc。 Yes； and you will discover for youself the truth of what I say； if；
without waiting to behold the outward and visible forms＇20＇ of the gods
themselves； you will be content to behold their works； and with these
before you； to worship and honour the Divine authors of them。＇21＇ I
would have you reflect that the very gods themselves suggest this
teaching。＇22＇ Not one of these but gives us freely of his blessings； yet they
do not step from behind their veil in order to grant one single boon。＇23＇
And pre…eminently He who orders and holds together the universe；＇24＇ in
which are all things beautiful and good；＇25＇ who fashions and refashions it
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